Heart and Stroke Encyclopedia

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Diabetic ketoacidosis is an emergency condition in which extremely high glucose levels and a severe lack of insulin result in the breakdown of body fat for energy and an accumulation of ketones in the blood and urine. Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis are nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, fruity breath odor and rapid breathing. If untreated, diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to coma and death.